NASCAR sensation Connor Zilisch rushed to hospital after Xfinity victory celebration gone wrong

NASCAR teen sensation Connor Zilisch has been rushed to hospital after falling from his car while celebrating his Xfinity Series race win at Watkins Glen.

The 18-year-old took the chequered flag after an incident-filled race that included taking out his Trackhouse Racing teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who crashed hard into the wall as a result of their contact. But the worst moment came in victory lane.

Watch the video above: Connor Zilisch falls hard in victory celebration gone wrong.

Zilisch stood up on his window but slipped on his netting and fell head-first onto the concrete below.

He was put on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance, with positive reports emerging afterwards.

“Connor Zilisch has been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation following today’s Xfinity Series race,” NASCAR said.

“He is awake and alert.”

Zilisch’s father Jim later shared Zilisch was “conscious and back to himself”.

“Off to hospital but he is not in any danger,” he added.

Zilisch, who is tied for the lead of the second-tier Xfinity championship, was due to take part in the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday local time (Monday AEST).

“Trackhouse Racing has elected to withdraw (Zilisch) from tomorrow’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen,” the team said.

“We wish Connor a speedy recovery.”

Van Gisbergen will start second in his bid to win four straight Cup road/street races.

But the Kiwi declined to weigh in on his Xfinity crash with Zilisch.

“Not ideal. I’m pretty gutted really,” van Gisbergen said after being cleared by the medical centre.

“Gutted for the JR Motorsports guys. Our car wasn’t great, but we still managed to get ourselves in a good position.

“Looked great. Kubota had some cool guests here. But yeah, pretty average way to end it.

“I haven’t seen it yet. I’ll watch it later and work it out, but I don’t know yet.”

Van Gisbergen this week signed a multi-year contract extension to stick with Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup series.

He is set to be joined by Zilisch, the path cleared for his promotion when Trackhouse parted ways with Daniel Suarez last month.

Elsewhere in the Xfinity race, Austin Hill was at the centre of another huge crash in his return from a one-race ban for intentional wrecking.

Michael McDowell was hit from behind and crashed into a wall, sparking a chain reaction with several cars damaged and the track blocked.